Copper and Taurasi score 20 each and Phoenix tops Washington 83-80
Phoenix Mercury vs. Washington Mystics - Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from Phoenix Mercury vs. Washington Mystics, 05/23/2024
PHOENIX -- — Kahleah Copper and Diana Taurasi scored 20 points each and the Phoenix Mercury beat the Washington Mystics 83-80 on Thursday night.
Natasha Cloud added 14 points and 10 assists and Sophie Cunningham scored 13 for the Mercury (3-1).
Ariel Atkins had 16 points to lead Washington (0-5), which has lost five consecutive games to open the season for this first time since the 2007 team started 0-8. Julie Vanloo scored 13 and Shakira Austin and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough added 11 points apiece.
After Austin hit two free throws that gave Washington a 46-45 lead with 8:32 remaining in the third quarter, Taurasi was fouled as she made a layup and hit the free throw before she hit a 3-pointer to spark a 15-0 Phoenix run.
Cloud found Natasha Mack for a short jumper, made 4 of 4 from the free-throw line and then set up a 3-pointer by Cunningham that capped the run and gave the Mercury a 60-46 lead.
Walker-Kimbrough hit a 3-pointer to end the Mystics' scoring drought of five-plus minutes. It was Washington's first field goal since Stefanie Dolson hit a 3-pointer 14 seconds into the second half.
Brittney Griner (foot) did not play for the Mercury.
Phoenix, which made 16 3-pointers on Tuesday in a 98-88 win over the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, has won three games in a row. The Mercury lost their season opener, 89-80 to Las Vegas, and have responded with their longest win streak since June 2022.
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Regular Season Series
PHX wins 2-1
Game Information
- Referees:
- Amy Bonner
- Angelica Suffren
- Biniam Maru
2023-24 Eastern Conference Standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
New York | 32 | 8 | .800 | - | L1 |
Connecticut | 28 | 12 | .700 | 4 | W1 |
Indiana | 20 | 20 | .500 | 12 | L1 |
Atlanta | 15 | 25 | .375 | 17 | W3 |
Washington | 14 | 26 | .350 | 18 | W1 |
Chicago | 13 | 27 | .325 | 19 | L5 |